A Path to Regional Stormwater Management Cooperation

1. A Path to Regional Stormwater Management Cooperation NJAFM Conference October 2012

2. A Path to Regional SWM Cooperation • Presented by: Leo J. Coakley, PE, PP Principal Water Resources Hatch Mott MacDonald

3. A Path to Regional SWM Cooperation Topic: Experience in Rahway River Watershed • Organizational aspects • Not technical aspects

4. A Path to Regional SWM Cooperation Rahway River Watershed 82 Square Miles 3 Counties 24 Municipalities

5. Hurricane Irene Impacts/Losses Millburn - Union – Springfield - Cranford – Rahway • Power outage – up to 5 days for 6,000 customers • Flooded and closed the Garden State Parkway • Estimated over $70 million in public and private losses

6. Hurricane Irene Impacts/Losses • Severe damages to public buildings • Municipal buildings, schools • Severe damage to homes and businesses • Over 2,000 homes impacted • Many with first floor damage (300+)

7. Millburn J

8. Cranford

9. CRANFORD MUNICIPAL BUILDING Severe damage to lower floor Cranford Municipal Building

10. A Path to Regional SWM Cooperation • Regional Cooperation • October 27, 2011 – formed … Mayors’ Council For Rahway River Watershed Flood Control

11. Mayors’ Council • Started with 2 Mayors inviting 3 more, etc. • Growing membership includes mayors from 11+ municipalities • Essex and Union County representatives also participate

12. Mayors’ Council Activities • Established several key target items • Held public meetings on key topics • Held 2 Stormwater Management Conferences (latest Sep. 20, 2012) • Contacted state and federal elected officials • Prepared Needs Statement – described damages and key issues

14. Mayors’ Council Key Issues • Evaluate Flood Storage Alternatives • Evaluation of Rahway River Bridges • Stormwater Management in Entire Watershed • Acquisition of Repetitive Loss Properties • Continued ………

15. Mayors’ Council Key Issues • Improved Process for River Cleanup and Maintenance • Expanded Flood Mitigation Planning by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) • Funding for Local Mitigation Projects, Regional Planning and Projects

16. Regional Stormwater ManagementCooperation Recognized as one component of a Flood Risk Reduction effort

17. Stormwater Management ConferenceSeptember 20, 2012 Organized by Rahway River Association With Presentations by Rutgers University Cooperative Extension

18. SWM Conference Topics • Stormwater Management Issues in NJ • Municipal Responsibilities Under NJ SW Regulations • Good Ways to Reduce Stormwater Runoff • Examples of implemented projects • Permeable pavement • Rain gardens

19. Mayors’ Council • Recommended SWM Actions for Consideration • 10 Action Items • Existing flooding is caused by existing land use

20. Mayors’ Council • Action Items • Reduce impervious cover on municipal lands • SWM education for land use board officials • Establish Rahway River Watershed SWM Advisory Board • Demonstration projects – e.g. rain gardens • Plant 10,000 trees – distribute rain 5,000 barrels • Develop a regional open space program

21. A Path to Regional SWM Cooperation • Organizational Approach to Regional SWM • Typical • Rahway Watershed

22. A Path to Regional SWM Cooperation • In Typical Regional SWM Process • Technical work by lead agency (funding) • Follow NJDEP guidelines for a Regional SWM Plan • Plan development includes meetings with area representatives • Plan process participants may differ from plan adoption officials • May be a disconnect between plan formulation and acceptance by elected officials – may lack cooperation among municipalities

23. A Path to Regional SWM Cooperation • Rahway Watershed – • Top Down Approach

24. A Path to Regional SWM Cooperation • Keep in Mind The Human Factor: • Every successful project needs a champion • The higher the official level of interest, the better the chance for success • Action people more effectively communicate on peer level • Memory/interest fades over time – need reinforcement (every 3 months min.) • Change is more likely when people affected make the decisions (or at least are involved)

25. A Path to Regional SWM Cooperation Regional SWM -- A Work in Progress in the Rahway River Watershed

26. A Path to Regional SWM Cooperation • A Common Problem – flooding • Issue awareness heightened by event – Hurricane Irene

27. A Path to Regional SWM Cooperation • Communications started at the top – Mayor to Mayor • Mayors’ Council formed – ad hoc • Did not bog down in organizational structure • Went directly to work on key issues

28. A Path to Regional SWM Cooperation • Communications with stakeholders and others: • Rahway River Association • Rutgers Cooperative Extension • Residents

29. A Path to Regional SWM Cooperation • Stormwater Management - Identified as an important component of a regional program for flood risk reduction • Mayors expressed cooperative involvement • Recognized they need to work for the common good of the watershed

30. A Path to Regional SWM Cooperation • Next step – Organize a Regional SWM Advisory Committee • Members appointed by (and may include) Mayors • Will report directly to Mayors’ Council

31. A Path to Regional SWM Cooperation Regional SWM Advisory Committee • Identify and recommend strategies for implementation by municipalities/counties • Seek funding – demonstration projects • For NJDEP funding – need Regional Plan per SWM guidelines

32. A Path to Regional SWM Cooperation • Summary – the Rahway Watershed Experience: • Recognized a common problem • Organized on the highest level of municipal authority – the Mayors • Mayors’ Council meetings attended by Mayors • Continued ……

33. A Path to Regional SWM Cooperation • Summary – the Rahway Watershed Experience: • Stormwater Management recognized as a key component of a comprehensive flood risk reduction effort • Viewed as a means to an end • Not just to comply with regulations • Involved other stakeholders • Original organizer (former mayor) continues as champion

34. A Path to Regional SWM Cooperation Questions? Thank You! Leo Coakley, PE, PP Leo.Coakley@hatchmott.com